Side Effects of Shoulder Surgery

Shoulder Surgery Sunnybank is the most common type of surgical procedure performed today. Over seventy percent of all surgeries are performed on the upper extremity. Shoulder dislocations, fractures, and injuries are the most common reason for a surgical consultation. The success rate of shoulder surgery is high but the risks are also very high. Before you decide whether or not you should have shoulder surgery, it's important to know what to expect.

The recovery time for this type of surgery is usually around three to six months. However, this can depend on many factors such as the severity of the injury and whether or not you had excessive swelling or deformity prior to the surgery. During the recovery period, there will be some limitations to your activities. As much as possible, you should maintain your usual daily routine. The amount of activity that you can tolerate is dependent on your doctor. After the surgery, you should start exercising within a day of your surgery.

The first part of recovery after shoulder dislocations is the time it takes to heal. You will have to take a rest and immobilization during the recovery period. In order to get better movement in the shoulder area, you will need to exercise. Resting only makes the injury worse. The immobilization will help with the inflammation and speed up the healing process.

Another problem that could arise is nerve damage after shoulder surgery. Nerve damage often occurs after arthroscopic surgery and will slow down or stop the progress of the surgery. If this happens it could result in infection, permanent scarring, loss of function, numbness, and tingling. These complications will be discussed with your surgeon. This type of complication is rare but could occur if you choose an arthroscopic surgery without enough experience or carefully select your surgeon.

You will be told to keep your shoulder immobilized for at least six weeks. Your range of motion will be limited but it will be alright. Do not exercise your arm because you might aggravate it. It may take months for full recovery but it will be worth the wait. You will be amazed at how fast you can move your arm after recovering from this surgery.

One thing to remember after surgery is never to overstretch your muscles. They will have a tendency to get stiff because of the swelling. When this happens it can put extra pressure on the injured side. You could cause further damage to your injury if you do not control the swelling. Stretching should be done slowly and carefully. Only do what you can without causing additional strain to the affected area.

You may be given a prescription for an anti-inflammatory medication. These can make the pain worse but will reduce any swelling. If the pain persists and doesn't go away in a couple weeks to see a doctor. There may be an underlying cause that needs to be treated.

Dealing with side effects of shoulder surgery can be difficult. It is not unusual for someone to have severe pain or even bruising from their procedure. Many doctors will give patients non-steroidal pain killers to help deal with the side effects but these may cause other problems. Talk to your doctor and try to stay as active as possible.

Try taking ibuprofen or aspirin instead. This will reduce your pain and also reduce the side effects. Ibuprofen can cause nausea so try to eat small meals. The food will not digest properly and this will only lead to more stomach pain and vomiting.

Try not to lift anything if there is a chance of dislocation. It may seem like you are doing everything you can to prevent any additional damage but sometimes side effects from shoulder surgery can be worse than the original injury. You should try and rest your arm if you think you are going to get sick. Lifting your arm after your surgery may cause the dislocation.

Your physical therapist may also give you suggestions about physical therapy. Your therapist will know the best exercises to avoid and help heal your shoulder surgery. Do not ignore any recommendations made by your physical therapist. They can help you regain your mobility and strength.